Hydrocarbon-burner and attachment.



PATENTED JAN. '6, 1903. mi. & G. LANE. HYDROGARBON BURNER AND ATTACHMENT.

APPLIGATIOH FILED MAY 12, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L.

N0 MODEL.

Hum OIHIH W m 0 M34 INVENTORs/fi ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM JAMES LANE AND GEORGE LANE, OEPOUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.

HYDROCARBON- BURNER'AND ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 717,754 dated January 6, 1903.

Application filed May 12, 1902.

To all whom it may con/067 72,:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM JAMES LANE and GEORGE LANE, citizens of the United States, residing at Poughkeepsie, county of Dutchess, State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydrocarbon-Burners and Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to the construction of a burner and its attachments such as may be employed for burning a hydrocarbon fuel, and is especially adapted for use on a motorvehicle where the power employed is steam.

Our invention further relates to the combination, with a hydrocarbon-burner, of a device for primarily vaporizing the hydrocarbon fuel employed and igniting the burner.

Ourinvention also relates to various details of construction of the burner, the vaporizing and igniting devices, the construction of the combustion-chamber, the arrangement of the burner therein relative to the boiler, and the construction and arrangement of the airchamber, through which air is fed beneath the burner.

The object of our invention is to produce a burner which shall effect perfect combustion of the gaseous hydrocarbon employed and which will not be disadvantageouslyafiected by air currents or whirls occurring under or in the vicinity of the burner, thereby obtaining great economy in the use of fuel and doing away with the objectionable odors due to the imperfect combustion of the hydrocarbon employed.

The accompanying drawings will serve toillustrate our invention, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the burner and its inclosing casing. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a vertical section illustrating the position of the burner relative to a verticaltube boiler. Fig. 5 is a detail of the device for supporting the burner within its casing. Fig. 6 is a-longitudinal section through the regulating valve which controls the fuelsupply.

In the drawings our improved burner is shown in the relation which we prefer it should have to a vertical-tube boiler. We

wish it understood, however, that it may be given any other relation or that it may be Serial No. 106,972. (No modelz) used with any other type of boiler. Manifestly if the type of boiler and relation of the burner to the boiler are changed the construction of the combustion -chamber will necessarily be modified to conform to the change in shape and relation of the parts.

tube boiler; 9, a burner situated within and forming the bottom of the closed casing 10, which is suitably supported beneath the burner. The cavity of the casing 10 is lined with asbestos 11 or other heat-resisting material. The cavity of the casing 10,'which is closed at the top by the boiler and partially closed at the bottom by the burner, forms a combustion-chamber A. We prefer that the combustion-chamber be of such size that the flame fromthe burning hydrocarbon gas will not impinge upon the bottom of the boiler and will be permitted to freely develop within the combustion-chamber. B y observing this condition the full heating value of the gaseous fuel may be obtained.

The burner 9 consists of a mixing-chamber 12, a series of-transverse spaced tubes 13, and a fuel-delivery tube 14. The mixingchamber 12, which is the chamber in which the hyrocarbon fuel and air fed to the burner %are mixed, heated, expanded, and distributed, :we prefer to make of a tube, closed at both ends and arranged centrally in the combustion-chamber and having a portion 12' within the combustion-chamber, and hence within the zone of greatest heat, and a portion 12 without the combustion-chamber, where it will not be heated except by conduction. The transverse tubes we also prefer to make tubular and their respective lengths such as will conform to the shape of the casing. These tubes may be connected to the mixing-chamber 12 by a screw or other joint and are freeto expand at their outer ends. These tubes are slightly separated to allow for the passage of thin currents of heated air between them from beneath the burner. The width of the spaces between the tubes will somewhat depend upon the size of the burneropenings in the transverse tubes. Preferably, however, the width of such spaces should In the drawings, 8 represents a verticalare only made so wide as to admit but very thin currents of air on each side of the tubes. In order to maintain the distance between these tubes at their ends, a wire 15 is passed around the tubes, as shown.

The upper surface of the transverse tubes 13 and that portion of the mixing-chamber marked 12 which is located within the combustion-chamber A, are perforated with fine openings, which form burner-openings 16, while that portion 12 of the mixing-chamber which is outside of the combustion-chamber A is non-perforate. The burner-openings 16 in the mixing-chamber may be omitted and only burner-openings provided in the transverse tubes 13. The size and number of burner-openings will preferably be such that the hydrocarbon gas delivered into the burner willbe slightly retardedinitsdeliverythrough the burner-openings.

The fuel-delivery tube 14 is situated within the mixing-chamber 12 and projects at its forward end beyond the casing 10 and is provided with a flared mouth. The opposite end of this tube projects into the portion 12 of the mixing-chamber, but is not carried to the end of the mixing-chamber.

The object of arranging the portion 12 of' the mixing-chamber external to the casing and providing for the delivery of the hydrocarbon fuel and air into this chamber is as follows: When the hydrocarbon fuel-gas is projected into the fuel-delivery tube 14, it passes through this tube and is admitted into the interior of the portion 12 of the mixing-chamber beyond the casing. The fuel in its passage through the fuel-delivery tube included within that portion of the mixing chamber marked 12 is heated and expanded, but not to a great extent-t. e., not as highly as it would he were it delivered directly by the injector into the cavity of the mixing-cham her. That portion 12 of the mixing-chamber which is not within the combustion-chamber is, as before stated, only heated by conduction, and consequently the fuelgas and air delivered into this portion of the mixing-chamber are not further heated. As the fuel hydrocarbon and air are discharged into the portion 12 of the mixing-chamber it is gradually forced into the portion 12 of the mixing-chamber and transverse tubes 13 and there intimately mixed, acquiring heat and being further expanded in its passage and distributed uniformly at a practically given temperature to all of the burner-openings 16 of the burner. By reason of this arrangement we are able to effect a perfect distribution of the gaseous fuel at all the burneropenings, with the resultant effect that all of the burner-openings on the surface of the burner will emit flames of practically uniform value, and, further, by reason of the airspaces, limited in width, on each side of the,

lateral tubes we are able to supply the flames on the surface of the burner with sufficient oxygen in a partially-heated condition to effect perfect combustion or, in other words, produce short, blue, and sharp flames from each and every burner-opening.

The length of the portion 12 of the mixing-chamber which is external to the combustion-chamber and the relation of the fueldelivery tube to the mixing-chamber, both as to length and diameter, will somewhat depend upon the character of the boiler employed, the relation of the burner to the boiler, and the construction and relation of the combus- Lion-chamber and air-chamber, all of which may be determined by experiment.

To support the burner within the casing, we make use of the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, which consists of sections of angleiron 17, secured to the casing 10 by means of the screws 18. The lower flange of this angleiron carries a ring 19, upon which rests the outer ends of the transverse tubes 13. Certain of these tubesfor instance, every fourth tube-has formed at its outer end a vertical opening 20, which does not connect with the interior of the tube. Located over the tubes 13 is a ring 2] corresponding to the ring 19. These rings are secured together by means of the screws 22, which pass through the vertical openings 20, of larger diameter than the screws, located at the ends of the tubes. These rings and screws serve to preserve the horizontal relation of all of the transverse tubes, and owing to the fact that the vertical openings 20 are larger in diameter than the screws 22 freedom of longitudinal movement of the tubes having the vertical openings is not restricted.

The advantage of the construction described for supporting the burner consists in the fact that it permits freedom of expansion of the parts of the burner in all directions and also the rapid removal of the burner, by releasing the screws 18, for inspection and repair. We do not limit ourselves to this method of supporting the burner, but find it one convenient for use in practice. The casing, the burner supported by it, as well as its adjuncts, may be detachably secured toa motor-vehicle by means of the hooks 23.

In order to practically heat the air and to prevent the access of too great a body of air to the under side of the burner and between the burner-tube, as also the action of eddying air-currents,we provide the removable bottom casing 24, the interior of which forms an airchamber B, and which consists of a bottom plate 25 and rim 26, the latter of which is provided with abayonet joint or joints 27, through which it may be secured by means of the screws 18 to the casing 10.

Provided in the rim 26 are openings 28. Two of such openings are shown, one in the left-hand side-of the rim, Fig. 1, and one at the right-hand side of the rim, Fig. 2, in the position such boiler and'burner would occupy upon a motor-vehicle. These openings are preferably guarded by screens of wire-netting 29.

The object of these open- ICS ings is to permit a certain amount of air to enter laterally above the bottom plate and beneath the burner 9,become partially heated, pass between the transverse tubes 13, and unite with the gas-fuel delivered from the burner-openings. The number and character of the openings, as well as their area, maybe increased or decreased,as required in practice, which can readily be determined by experiment. Ordinarily, and under conditions prevailing with the average temperature of this country, we find that one or two openings having approximately the height and width shown are sufficient.

It will be seen from the foregoingdescription that the burner as a whole so far as described consists of a combustion-chamber A, having a burner located in the lower part of said chamber and at a distance from the bottom of the boiler and an air-chamber B, situated beneath the burner and provided with one or more openings.

We will now describe an adjunct to the burner by means of which the hydrocarbon fuel fed to the burner will be vaporized before being admitted to the burner and the burner simply and readily ignited.

Situated above and at one side of the mixing-chamher 12 are a pair of tubes 30 The tube 30 is connected external to the casing 10 at its left-hand end to a casting 31, provided with a screw-plug 32. Connected to the casting 31 and between it and the fuelsupply pipe 33 is the fuel-supply valve 34. Connected to the corresponding end of the tube 30 by means of the union 35 is a fuelinjector 36, which is located immediately opposite the mouth of the fuel-supply pipe 14. The supply of fuel to the injector is controlled through the regulating needle-valve 37, which is connected through the pipe 38 with the source of steam -supply. The arrangement and operation of this type of valve are so well known that no further description is required, and we make no claim in this application for the particular construction of this valve as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The right-hand ends of the pipes 30 30 are connected through the hollow casting 39, in which are the screwplugs 40 41. By removing the screw-plugs 32 and 40 access can be had to the interior of the tubes 30 30 for cleaning, and byremoving the screw-plug 41 access can be had to the interior of the casting 39; further, that owing to the construction of the parts the tubes 30 30 can be readily removed from the casing 10 for inspection and repair.

Situated under the vaporizing-tubes 30 is the igniting device, which consists of a central perforated tube 42, attached to the casing 10 by means of a nut 43. By removing this nut the perforated tube and its covering may be withdrawn for inspection and repair.

The perfprated tube 42 is connected at its left-hand end to a non-perforate tube 44, external to the casing 10 and having on its end a cup 45, which may be given any convenient location upon a motor-vehicle.

Surrounding the perforated pipe 42 is a covering of asbestos or other suitable noncombustible material 46, secured in position in any suitable manner.

' The operation of the burner and igniting device is as follows: When it is desired to light the burner, alcohol or other inflammable fluid is introduced into the cup 45. Such fluid flows through the pipe 44 to the perforated pipe 42 and saturates the covering 46. The fluid saturating the covering can be readilyignited bya match introduced through the door 47 on the left-hand side of the casing 10. Upon lighting the inflammable fluid held in the interstices of the asbestos covering the flame will impinge upon the vaporizing-tubes 30 30 and beat them. When sufficiently heated, the fuel-supply valve 34 is opened, which allows the hydrocarbon fuel to flow into the vaporizing-tubes, where it is immediately vaporized and delivered to the injector, thence to the fuel-supply tube 14 of the burner, and thence into the mixing-chamber and transverse burner-tubes, to be'delivered at the burner-openings of the mixingchamber and tubes and ignited by the flame ofthe torch. The regulating-valve controls the admission of fuel in accordance with the steam-pressure at the boiler. When the gas issuing from the burner-openings is ignited, thin upward currents of heated air are created on each side of the transverse burner-tubes, which air-currents unite with the'burning gas at the burner-openings and serve to promote combustion.

We are aware that a burner has heretofore been constructed consisting of a central tube and a series of lateral tubes separated at such a distance as to leave'a considerable air-space between them, and such we do not claim as our invention.

We make no claim, broadly, in this application for a burner comprising a mixing-cham her, a series of transverse burner-tubes separated at such a distance from each other as to permit but thin currents of air topass between them, and a fuel-supply tube located in and carried partially through the mixing-chamber, as such construction has been made the subject of a' companion application, Serial No. 46,908, filed February 11, 1901.

Having thus described our invention, we claim- 1. A hydrocarbon-burner comprising a casing, a mixing-chamber, a portion of which is within the casing and a portion of which is external to the casing, a supply-tube for the mixed gas and air extending through the portion within the casing and into the portion external to the casing, and a series of transverse burner-tubes communicating with that portion of the mixing-chamber within the casing.

2. A hydrocarbon-burner comprising a casing, a central mixing-chamber, a portion of which is within the casing and a portion external to the casing, a supply-tube for the mixed gas and air located within the mixingchamber and delivering fuel into that portion of the mixing-chamber external to the casing, and a series of transverse-spaced burner-tubes, said tubes connected at one end to the mixing-chamber so arranged as regards each other as to permit but thin currents of heated air to pass upward on each side of said tubes.

3. Ahydrocarhon-hurner,comprisingacasing, a transverse mixing-chamber, a portion of which is within the casing and a portion external to the casing, a supply-tube for the mixed gas and air having its orifice external to the casing and its delivery end within the mixing-chamber, a series of lateral perforated tubes projecting from the mixing-chamberand having air-spaces between them relatively narrow as regards the diameter of said tubes, and an igniting device within the casing and over the body of the burner.

4:. A hydrocarbon-burner, com prising a casing, a transverse mixingcham her carried across the interior of the casing and projecting without the casing at one end, a supplytube having itsorifice external to the casing and its delivery end within the mixing-chamher, a series of lateral perforated tubes projecting from the mixing-chamber and separated at such a distance from each other as will permit thin streams of air to pass between said tubes, and afuel-injector arranged external to the casing and the supply-tube, and delivering into the supply-tube.

5. A hydrocarbon-burner, comprisinga casing, a mixing-chamber, a portion of which is within the casing and a portion of which is without the casing, a supply-tube for the mixed gas and air ofless diameter and length than said mixing-chamber and delivering fuel into that portion of the mixing-chamber external to the casing, a series of transverse burner-tubes communicating with said mixing-chamber, and burner openings in said tubes.

6. Ahydrocarbon-burner, comprisingacasing open at the top and bottom, a transverse mixing-chamber, a portion of which is within the casing and a portion external to the casing, a supply-tube for the mixed gas and air, having its orifice external to the casing and its delivery end within the mixing-chamber,

jecting from the mixing-chamber and sepa rated at such a distance from each other that thin streams of air will be permitted to pass between said tubes on each side of the burnerorifices in said tubes.

7. The combination with a hydrocarbonburner, comprising a central tube and lateral burner-tubes, of a support for the burner, consisting of a series of independent angleirons connected to the bottom of the casing in which the burner is located, a ring on each side of the lateral burner-tubes, and means for securing the rings together.

8. A hydrocarbon-burner, comprisinga casing open at the top and bottom, a removable bottom provided with air-inlets for the lower end of said casing, a transverse mixing-chamber, a portion of which is within the casing and a portion external to the casing, a supplytube for the mixed gas and air having its orifice external to the casing and its delivery within the mixing-chamber, and a series of lateral perforated tubes projecting from the mixing-chamber and separated at such an interval from each other that but thin streams of air will be permitted to pass between said tubes on each side of the burner-orifices in said tubes.

9. In a hydrocarbon-burnerfor steam-boilers, a supporting-shell which corresponds in shape with the boiler, inwardly-projecting means connected to said shell and which serves to support the other parts of the device, a series of parallel tubes perforated throughout their lengthto act as burners and approximately covering the whole lower opening of the shell but separated by air-spaces relatively narrow as regards the width of the tubes, a mixing-chamber, connected to each of the perforated tubes and communicating therewith, a second shell of the same shape as the first-named shell detachably connected thereto and situated below the burner, and

means for supplying air and vapor to the mixing-chamber of said burner.

In testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM JAMES LANE. GEORGE LANE.

Witnesses:

J. E. PEARSON, W. H. PUMPHREY.

ICO 

